Splitting machine



Oct. 31, 1939. P. v. J. MERENDA SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1958 f 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Inventor Patented Oct. 31, 1939 PATENT OFFICE SPLITTING MACHINE Paul V. J. Merenda, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, assignor to The Turner Tanning Machinery Company, Portland, Maine, a corporation of Maine Application September 15, 1938, Serial No. 230,153

7 In Germany October 20, 1937 14 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for treating hides, skins and leather. While the invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine for performing splitting operations upon both tanned and untanned hides and skins, it is to be understood that the invention and various important features thereof may have other applications and uses.

In splitting machines of the band knife type, it has been customary to lift the head carrying the upper gage roll to permit introduction of a piece of work, when only a given part of the work piece is to be treated, and then to replace the head and gage roll to exert the proper pressure on the work x piece during a splitting operation. In splitting machines as heretofore constructed, these operations have commonly been accomplished through adjustments of the splitting machine head laboriously carried out by meansofscrew threadled members. More recently, treadle operated means has been provided for lifting and returning the movable head. In any case, the operation in these well-known commercial machines has taken too much time and effort to be economically satisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the work of 'the operator and to 'minimize the time and effort required in moving a splitting machine head between operative and inoperative positions. Another object of the invention is to provide means which will automatically lock the head in its operative position, thus relieving the operator of any care on this point. It isa further object of the invention to provide hydraulic means for moving a splitting machine head, operative also to effect locking and unlock ing of such head in'timed' relation to its move-- ments between work receiving and Work operating positions.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of hydraulic means for rendering a latching means for a splitting machine headinoperative and causing movement of such head to inoperative or work receiving position after it has been released by the latching means. It is a feature of the latching construction that return of the head to its operative position is automatically followed by a relatching or locking of the head in such position, thus facilitating greatly the work of the operator.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the head carries the gage roll of the splitting machine, and hence the head and gage roll are moved to a position where the unyielding gage roll 55. oca e the W k p q h P l 9thQ Gutter during splitting operations, a latch member being provided at each end of the head to secure the head and gage roll in operative position. In a preferred construction, hydraulic means is provided for rendering the latch members inoperative so that the head may be lifted from its operative position to an inoperative or work receiving position, preferably by the same hydraulic means, which thus operates on the head and on the latching members in properly timed relation to each other. When the head is permitted to return to its initial or operative position, the latches. are automatically reengaged with the head through weighted or spring means provided for the purpose. Conveniently, the latch member is pivotally mounted and comprises a segmental member which progressively engages the head and securely effects the latching operation as the latch is swung about its pivotal point.

With the above and other important features and objects in mind, the invention'will now be described in detail in the specification and then pointed out more particularly in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevation of a band knife splitting machine with apparatus for providing hydraulic pressure, and also hydraulic control mechanism;

Figs. 2 and 3 are views on a larger scale of the hydraulic mechanism for unlocking and lifting the head of a splitting machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a cylinder and its piston; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 2 and 3 showing another embodiment of the hydraulic mechanism, employing separate pistons for unlocking and for lifting the splitting machine head.

In that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the. drawings as designed specially for splitting operations upon hides and skins, the frame I of a band knife splitting machine carries a rotary pump 3 whose suction line is connected to a reservoir for the hydraulic pressure medium provided in the lower part of the pump housing, and which is adapted to provide high pressure in a feed line H. Conveniently, the pump 3 is driven by means of a chain 4 from the main driving shaft of the machine.

The head 5 of the splitting machine is movable with regard to the machine frame I in a vertical direction in customary manner, and is therefore guided in slideways in posts 6 which form part of the machine frame. As shown, the head 5 carriesa gage roll 8 which engages unyieldingly the upper surface of a work piece being operated upon by a belt knife ll]. Commonly the work piece is supported by a roll l2 in the form of a ring roll backed or operatively supported by a rubber bed roll (not shown).

As may be seen from the drawings, the hydraulic operating means comprises cylinders 'i, which slidably receive Vertically movable pistons 9, and which are attached to the posts 5. The lower part of each cylinder i is connected, as may best be seen from Fig. 4, to the feed line H for the hydraulic pressure medium which, upon closing of a control valve i3, (Fig. 1) is pressed into the cylinders i where it lifts the pistons 9 to such a height that a connection between a return duct l5 and the inside of each cylinder l becomes uncovered. This connection takes the form of several ducts I? (Fig. l) which are placed above one another, and of which any one may be opened by turning its associated small closure screw Ila, depending on the height to which the pistons 9 and with them the head 5 of the machine are to be lifted. It will be shown later how the machine head is raised under the influence of the pistons 9. Advantageously, another duct i8 is provided above ducts l'l, which duct l8 cannot be closed, to insure a safe overflow for the pressure medium in the event that the ducts ll become stopped up or all of them closed by mistake. In this way, lifting the head 5 too far or out of the slide-ways in the posts 5 is avoided with certainty.

As shown, pistons 5 are provided at their upper ends with screw studs I9 (Figs. 2 and 3) which are vertically adjustable relative to the pistons 9 by being screw threaded therein, and which may be secured in such vertical adjustment by check nuts 2!].

Attached fixedly to both ends of head 5 are angle brackets or arms 2|, which are provided with holes through which the screw studs l9 extend upwardly. The frame extensions or posts 6 forming guideways for the movable head 5 of the machine are provided with vertically adjustable bars 25 which also extend upwardly through holes in angle brackets or arms 2|. Each bar 25 carries a shoulder 23 upon which normally rests the corresponding angle bracket or arm 2| of the head 5 when the head is in its lower position. Upwardly of arms 2| each bar 25 carries a sleeve piece 21 which is rotatable thereon, but not movable longitudinally with respect to the bars 25. Hand wheels 29 fixedly attached to the bars 25 provide means for rotating the latter and screwing them more or less deeply into the frame extensions or posts 5, thus providing adjustment for the head 5, since the angle brackets or arms 2| rest on the shoulders 23 of the bars 25.

Pivoted to each sleeve 23 is a lever 3| which carries on its outer end a slidably adjustable weight 33. Near its pivot point each lever 3! is provided with a segment which co-operates with an abutment 3'! on the angle bracket or arms 2|, when the head 5 is in its lower position, to effect locking of the head in its lower or operative position. The engaging faces of segments 35 and abutments 3'! are slightly angular so that they are wedged against each other under the influence of weights 33. In this way the angle brackets 2| are firmly wedged against shoulders 23 on the bars 25, thereby fixing the head 5 and the gage roll 8 in relation to the machine frame.

The action of this combined locking and lifting mechanism for the head of leather splitting machines may be described as follows:

As long as valve I3 in the pump piping remains open, the hydraulic liquid is returned into the reservoir without having any influence on the pistons 9 contained in the cylinders l. Pistons 9, therefore, are normally in their lower position in the cylinders l, and the locking levers or latches 3| are free to fall to their lower or locking position. As shown in Fig. 1, the levers 3| have fallen so far that the slightly angular faces of segments 35 are wedged against the corresponding angular faces of abutments 3? which form parts of angle brackets or arms 2|. By this wedging action the head 5 and gage roll 8 are firmly fixed in their lower position where they press firmly on the upper surface of the hide or skin to be split or sliced.

By closing valve l3 in the return pipe line, the liquid is forced into cylinders 1, where the rising pressure lifts the pistons 9 with their studs l9. The studs or lifting bars I9 are so adjusted that their upper ends engage the locking levers or latches 3| and force them to swing upward around their pivot points on sleeves 21, until they are in the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position of the levers 3|, the segments 35 are completely disengaged from the abutments 3'! 'so that the locking action upon the head 5 of the machine is eliminated. Fig. 2 also shows that when levers or latches 3| have reached this position, adjustable shoulders which form part of the lifting bars or screw studs 9, and which conveniently consist of nuts and check nuts 39 screwed on to the studs l9, have just reached the under side of angle brackets or arms 2| attached to head 5. Upon further upward movement of the pistons 9, angle brackets or arms 2| are lifted away from the shoulders 23 on the bars 25 and, consequently, the head 5 and gage 8 are lifted upwardly with regard to the fixed machine frame to an inoperative or work receiving position. During this lifting up of the arms 2| and the head 5, the levers or latches 3| naturally continue to swing upwardly under the influence of the upper ends of the studs l9. Lifting of the head 5 continues until the lower edges of the pistons 9 have been lifted above the openings into the selected ducts I! which are connected to the return duct l5. As shown in Fig. 3, the selected duct is the middle duct I! and in Fig. 4 it is the upper duct II.

It is, of course, necessary, when changing the lower position of head 5 with regard to the machine frame to suit different thicknes of work, to readjust the position of the screw threaded studs IS in their pistons and in relation to the arms 2| and to the locking levers 3|, by screwing studs |9 more or less deeply into pistons 9.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, separate pistons are provided for unlocking and for lifting the head 5. This is advantageous in that each piston may be dimensioned according to its particular function. On each side of the machine there are provided double cylinders 40, each receiving two pistons 4| and 43 of which piston 4| controls the locking and unlocking operations, and piston 43, the lifting of the head 5. Pistons 4| carry connecting rods 42 attached to the levers or latches 3 I, which latter carry the same type of locking members 35 as described in connection with the former construction. In either of the two illustrated constructions the levers or latches 3| may be provided with weights or springs. In the construction according to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, weight loaded levers 3| are shown, as in that construction the strokeof levers 3| is comparatively large. In the construction according to Figs. 5 and 6, where the stroke of levers 3| is smaller, viz., only that necessary for locking and unlocking, it is practicable to provide springs 45 arranged to engage the outer ends of the levers or latches 3|, which springs are fixed at their lower ends to brackets 41 attached by screws to cylinders 40. Pistons 4| can rise only to a height such that the segments 35 of levers 3| will be completely out of engagement with abutments 31 of the angle brackets or arms 2|. Said pistons are prevented from rising further by stops 48 formed by the upper part of brackets 41. After these stops have been reached, the hydraulic pressure acts under the lifting pistons 43. Set screws attached to the upper ends of the lift pistons 43 engage the under sides of brackets or arms 2| of the head 5, and act to, lift the head 5 as further liquid under pressure is fed into the cylinders 1. The diameter of the lifting pistons 43 is dimensioned according to the weight of the head of the machine to be lifted, while unlocking pistons 4| are so dimensioned that they unfailingly disengage the locking mechanism even against the friction between locking segments 35 and abutments '3'! under the pressure of the liquid upon pistons 4!. When control valve I3 is opened again. the pressure in the feed line H drops, and pistons 43 will be lowered until arms 2| again rest upon the shoulders 23 of the bars 25. As soon as abut ments 3'! have passed the lower edges of segments 35, the latter will be pushed again into'lockin position under the influence of the sprin s 45, since pistons 4| are also free to be lowered.

In operating the machine shown in the drawin s. a hide or skin which is to be split by the belt knife II] is fed into position between the ga e roll 8 and the ring roll l2. the ga e roll 8 bein unyielding and determinin the thickness of the uniform split taken from the hide or skin. If, on the other hand. the hide or skin is to be cheeked. that is. if only the head and cheek portions of the hide or skin are to be reduced in thickness, the head 5 and the gage roll 8 carried thereby are first moved upwardly to inoperative position by proper operation of the valve at I3. The head and cheek portion of the hide or skin is then introduced and the head 5 and gage roll 8 return to operative position in which they are locked by the latches 3|. The gage roll 8 presses firmly against the upper surface of the work which is supported yieldingly by the ring roll l2 backed by a rubber covered roll. With the hide or skin in place the machine is started in operation and the hide or skin is properly checked.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a splitting machine, cutting means, a head carrying a gage roll to position a piece of work for a splitting operation, said head and gage roll being movable between a work receiving and a work gaging position, locking means to hold the head and gage roll in fixed relation to said cutting means, and hydraulically operated means to render the locking means inoperative and subsequently to move the head and gage roll away from the cutting means to work receiving position.

2. A machine constructed according to claim 1 in which the hydraulically operatedmeans comprises a piston arranged to move the locking means to inoperative position and then to lift the head and gage roll away from the cutting means.

3. A machine constructed according to claim 1 in which the locking. means comprises a pivoted lever having a segmental portion to engage a surface on the head to lock the head and gage roll in gaging relation to the cutting means.

4. In a splitting machine, cutting means, a head carrying a gage roll to position a work piece with respect to the cutting means, a pair of latching members one at each end of said head and operative to lock the head and the gage roll unyieldingly against upward movement away from said cutting means, and hydraulic means operative to move the latching members to inoperative position and then to lift the head and gage roll upwardly away from the cutting means to work receiving position.

5. A machine constructed according to claim 4 in which the hydraulic means comprises a cylinder and piston fixedly attached to the frame of the machine adjacent each end of said head, the pistons being movable in unison first to move the latching members to inoperative position and then to lift the head and gage roll away from the cutting means to work receiving position.

6. In a splitting machine, a head constructed to provide a firm backing for a work piece while it is being split, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, and a locking means for said head to retain the latter in operative position, said piston being movable to render the locking means inoperative and then to lift said head to an inoperative position.

7. In a splitting machine, a head constructed to provide a firm backing for a work piece while it is being split, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, a latch for retaining said head against upward movement while it is in operative position, the latch being movable to inoperative position by the piston, said head having an arm or bracket extending therefrom and said piston having a part to engage said arm or bracket to lift the head after the latch has been moved to inoperative position by said piston.

8. In a mechanism for lifting the movable head of a leather splitting machine, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, and a locking means for said head to retain the latter in operative position, said piston being movable to effect unlocking of the locking means and subsequently lifting of said head to an inoperative position.

9. In a mechanism for lifting the movable head of a leather splitting machine, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, locking means for retaining said head against upward movement while it is in operative position, the locking means being movable to inoperative position by the piston, said head having an arm or bracket extending therefrom and said piston having a collar to engage said arm to lift the head after the locking means has been moved to inoperative position by said piston.

10. In a mechanism for lifting the movable head of a leather splitting machine, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, said head having an arm extending laterally therefrom and having an abutment extending upwardly therefrom, a latching member pivotally mounted on the machine frame and having a part to engage said abutment to lock the said head in its operative position, said piston being arranged to engage said latching member to move the latter to inoperative position and said piston having a part to engage the arm on said head to lift the latter after movement of the latching member to unlatching position.

11. In a mechanism for lifting the movable head of a leather splitting machine, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, said head having an arm extending laterally therefrom and having an abutment extending upwardly therefrom, a latching member pivotally mounted on the machine frame and having a segmental portion, means for maintaining said segmental portion in contact with the abutment on said head to lock the said head in its operative position, said piston being arranged to engage said latching member to move the latter to inoperative position and said piston having a collar to engage the arm on said head to lift the latter after movement of the latching member to unlatching position.

12. In a splitting machine, a head having an arm extending laterally therefrom, a screw threaded member mounted in the frame of the machine and having a part to engage the arm to determine the lower operative position of said head, said screw threaded member being adjustable to vary said operative position, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and having a part to engage said arm to lift the head, and a latching member piv oted on the screw threaded member near the upper end thereof and having a segmental portion to engage an upwardly facing surface on said head to lock the latter in operative position, said piston having a part to engage said latching member to lift the latter to unlatching position before the piston engages said arm to lift the head.

13. In a splitting machine, a head having a part to provide a firm backing for a work piece undergoing splitting operations, said head having an arm extending laterally therefrom and having also an abutment extending upwardly, a latch member having a segmental portion to engage said abutment to lock the head in its operative position, hydraulic means comprising two cylinders, and pistons mounted in said cylinders, one of the pistons being operative to move the latching member to inoperative position and the other piston being operative to engage said arm subsequently to the movement of the latching member whereby said head is lifted after it is unlatched.

14. In a mechanism for lifting the head of a leather splitting machine, hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, said head having an upwardly facing surface, a latching member pivotally mounted on the machine frame and having a segmental part to engage said upwardly facing surface to lock the said head in its operative position, and means tending constantly to move the latching member to latching position, said piston being arranged to engage said head to lift the latter after movement of the latching member to unlatching position, and return movement of the head to its operative position being accompanied by the automatic return of the latching member to its latching position,

PAUL V. J. MERENDA. 

